Only 20 MPs turn up for Commons debate on violence

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Despite unprecedented concern about killings in London and around the country, the chamber was almost deserted.

Many, it seemed, had greater priorities on a sunny Thursday when there were no compulsory votes taking place. Senior MPs, who deny claims that their working week has reduced to less than four days, are asking for a £23,000 pay boost.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, the final speaker in the 90-minute debate, admitted the turnout was disappointing.

"I'm saddened it is late in the week and on a one-line whip, and I do not think the number of members present reflects the importance of this issue," he said.

Mr Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, said there should be an annual debate and government statement on the problem.

Only a handful of the 70 London MPs attended the debate, despite 16 young people being killed in knife crimes in the capital so far this year. The few who did attend included Andy Love (Edmonton), Simon Hughes (Bermondsey), Dawn Butler (Brent South), Tom Brake (Carshalton) and David Evennett (Bexleyheath & Crayford). For most of the debate, there were just 14 MPs present, including six from London.

James Brokenshire, MP for Hornchurch and shadow home affairs minister, said prevention through education would only work if it was part of a wider package of measures to tackle the problems of social breakdown, drug abuse and binge drinking.

Ms Butler said "postcode wars" meant young people were frightened to cross into neighbouring areas.

Mr Hughes called for kitchen knives - the "weapon of choice" - to be redesigned to get rid of the sharp points. "You cannot ban kitchen knives but we must stop them leaving the home," he said.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said he would consider the call for an annual debate. "We cannot wake up every morning wondering whether somebody has been stabbed to death overnight."